Cadet Life at West Point

by Hugh T. Reed

For many years, “Old Bentz” blew the bugle calls for recitations and mid rain or snow, he never missed a call, he blew it first on the north side of the Barracks, near the “Sally Port,” and then in the area. Many a cadet has stood at the blackboard, not ready to recite, praying for old Bentz to blow; once in a while he would succeed in “bugling it,” that is, avoid a recitation, but as the instructors have all been cadets themselves, the poor fellow was generally called upon to recite and got 1.5 or less for his pains.

A day or two after returning to barracks I was on post one evening in the hall of the old “sixth div.” when D⸺m, of my class, who lived in that “div.” passed through the hall with his coat unbuttoned. Of course I reported him for it. The next day the report was on the list of delinquencies read out to the battalion by the cadet adjutant. After supper that evening another classmate called on me and asked what I had against D⸺m, I said I had nothing against him and I wanted to know why he asked. He replied that D⸺m was very angry with me for having reported him for “coat unbuttoned in hall of barracks.” I was surprised and said that I had to report him or tell a lie to the officer or corporal of the guard. Up to that time D⸺m had not been on guard in barracks and he did not know the orders, so he consulted an upper classman about the report and learned that I had done my duty. Then he came to me and said, “I sent a friend to challenge you but find that you are right and I wrong, so I want to beg your pardon.” Had I not have reported D⸺m I would have gotten into serious trouble, because the cadets themselves have no use for a liar or a thief. As I have said the rooms of barracks are never locked, hence any cadet will promptly report another for stealing and the thief[33] is summarily dealt with by the authorities.

In barracks a sentinel is posted in each hall, and he walks post only during meal hours, evening call to quarters, and Sunday[34] call to quarters. When a relief is to be taken off post and no new sentinels are to be posted, such as after meals and at tattoo, the corporal of the relief on post, beginning at the first division hall, calls, “No. 1 Off,” marches him to the second division and calls, “No. 2 Off,” and so on until the eight sentinels are off, the relief is then marched to the guard house, and there dismissed. The spirit of deviltry used to crop out in the average fourth classman, as soon as his plebe camp was over, and he often laid awake at night devising ways and means for sweet revenge upon the next class or even upon the “Seps” of his own class, before they became acquainted with one another. One night a June plebe discovered that the sentinels on Posts 1, 2 and 3, were Seps of his own class, and that they were on guard for their first time. A happy thought came to this June plebe. He put on his overcoat, turned the collar up to hide his face, got his rifle, and just before time for the Corporal to take off his Relief at tattoo, this plebe took off the Relief himself. The first three sentinels being green Seps “fell in” without a suspicion of anything wrong, and the older cadets of the Relief knowing that it was about time to be relieved, also fell in. Just as the June plebe was approaching the guard house with the Relief, Lieutenant K⸺g saw the Corporal of this Relief in the guard house watching the clock, hence he knew that some devilment was up. The plebe saw that the Lieutenant saw him, so he fled to his room, with the Lieutenant after him and the members of the Relief ran back to their posts. The plebe was caught and he walked “extras” for many a Saturday afternoon for his fun; and the Corporal was reduced to the ranks for allowing his Relief to be improperly relieved.

Cadets do not salute one another except on occasions of ceremony prescribed by the regulations. Plebes address one another as Jones or Smith, but they say[35] Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith in speaking of them to an officer, or to an upper classman. In speaking to or of an officer, they use his title, but in speaking to or of an upper classman, they say[35] Mr. White or Mr. Black. Upper classmen address one another as White and Black, but they say Mr. White or Mr. Black in speaking of them to an officer or to a plebe. In speaking to or of an officer they use his title, but in speaking to or of a plebe, they say Mr. Jones or Mr. Smith. Officers in speaking to or of a cadet say Mr. Jones or Mr. White. Cadet titles are used only by the cadets having them, and then only in their permits and explanations, thus—Cadet Corporal, Cadet Sergeant, etc. Except officially, officers and cadets rarely speak to one another. At first it seemed very strange to recite to an officer for months, and to pass him on the plain without a friendly word being exchanged, the military salute being the only recognition. It is best that it is that way, as it avoids intimacy and favoritism.

When the first snow fell, I was greatly amused to see one of my classmates who had never seen it snow. He ran out into the area bare-headed (and was reported for being in the area without cap). He held out his hands and then opened his mouth to catch the flakes; it was a soft fine snow and melted as soon as it touched anything, so he could not catch any of the flakes, yet he could see them in the air and he appeared dumbfounded.

Now that we did not have to carry palms of the hands to the front we used to walk more about the post. I say walk, because we were not allowed to ride. We found our way occasionally to the Dutchwoman’s,[36] near the postoffice[37] (as no permits were needed to go there in my day), where cadets having a little change, or who, being out of debt, could get ice cream, cakes, pies, etc. On Saturday afternoons we went down “Flirtation Walk,” a beautiful stroll along the Hudson, or up to Cro’ Nest, the highest peak for miles around, or to old Fort Putnam, on a hill west of the Barracks, and once in a while to Kinsley’s orchard.[38] The only reason I can think of having gone to Kinsley’s is, that it was then “off limits,” and the Regulations said cadets caught off limits should be dismissed, or otherwise less severely punished. Christmas season had much in store for us. We received boxes of sweetmeats from home, we had a theatrical performance in the Mess Hall, and some of us, and I was one, had a three days’ “leave” from the Point. This leave was granted to cadets having not over six demerits for the past six months. But few cadets obtained leaves, and those who did were envied by the less fortunate fellows. Everybody enjoyed the boxes from home, because cadets are proverbially generous, and divide their good things with those who do not receive boxes. Many were “skinned” and given demerits for grease upon their floors after the boxes came. The cadets are not now permitted to receive Christmas boxes. An entertainment was given on New Year’s Eve, in the Mess Hall. A temporary stage was erected, and all of the actors, “actresses” and members of the orchestra were cadets.

A PARODY ON HOHENLINDEN.

At West Point, when the sun was low,

All spotless lay the untrodden snow,